"

When the starting order came from the gunboat, just before the "Hudson"
glided ahead in the lead, Mr. Surles gave the order to cast loose
from moorings. The engine room bell jangled; Surles, for the first
time in his life, was watch officer of a submarine torpedo boat.

As they left the bay behind, the young man gave up his temporary post
to a comrade. In all, five of the midshipmen commanded, briefly,
before the laying-to signal was given out at sea.

Hal Hastings now appeared on deck, gravely saluting.

"Captain Benson," he stated, "I have inspected all the submerging
machinery, the tanks, the compressed air apparatus, and all, and find
everything in good order. We can go below the surface at any moment."

Two or three of the naval cadets smiled broadly at hearing the title
bestowed on a boy younger than many of themselves.

"No levity, gentlemen," broke in Ensign Trahern, rather sternly. "Mr.
Benson is captain to his own chief engineer."

Jack waited until he saw the signal flags break out at the foretop of
the "Hudson." It was an inquiry as to whether he was prepared for
diving.

"Yes," signaled back the "Farnum's" flags.

"Dive at will, but keep to a due east or west course. Be careful to
avoid collision with the sister craft," came the next order from the
parent boat.

"All below!" ordered Benson, crisply.

Ensign Trahern waited until the last of the cadets had filed below, then
followed them. Last of all came Jack Benson, after having lowered the
short signal mast and made other preparations. Now he stepped inside
the conning tower, swiftly making all fast. Then he called Midshipman
Surles up the stairway to the tower wheel.

"Do you think you can head due east, and keep to that course under water,
Mr. Surles?" asked the young submarine instructor.

"Yes, sir."

"Take the wheel, then. I will send two more men up here to observe
with you."

Stepping down to the cabin floor, Jack chose two more midshipmen,
ordering them up into the tower.

"The rest of you will crowd about me, as I handle the submerging
machinery," called Jack, raising his voice somewhat. "Ask any
questions you wish, at appropriate times."

"I thought, sir," spoke up one of the middies, "that you controlled
the diving apparatus from the conning tower."

"It can be done there, when the officer in charge of the boat is up
there," Jack answered. "The diving, and the rising, may be controlled
at this point in the